‘Soul Migration’ installation displayed at Waterfall Arts

BELFAST — “Soul Migration,” a multimedia installation of image, sound and poetry by Barbaria Maria, will be displayed May 6-27 at Waterfall Arts. An opening reception will be held 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 6, in the Clifford Gallery, during which time dancers Shana Bloomstein, Katenia Keller and Joan Proudman will perform.

The exhibit includes large images printed on light fabric hung from the ceiling and on the walls, accompanied by text and sound recordings. Maria said images often spark her writing and that she has collaborated with artists and made collages for many years. She describes the images in the show as a digital collage, which, like poetry, “involve the process of moving images in space, orchestrating combinations that create symbolism and metaphor. Mixing images allows me to directly express subtle layers of perception; not fantasy, but the extraordinary that exists in the ordinary. I want to suggest and illuminate what is palpable but not necessarily visible.”

Maria lives in Belfast and is the author of two books of poetry, “Crossing Time” and “Palace Boulevard,” and the CD “108 Names — Poems to the Divine” with music by Jeff Densmore. She leads creative writing groups and workshops for new and experienced writers and has taught and performed throughout New England.

A gallery talk is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17. Admission to the talk is free; donations to Waterfall Arts are appreciated.

Maria will lead a creative writing workshop, Writing Immersion, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 21. The group will focus on poetry, prose and story using writing prompts, reading aloud, discussion, memory and the senses, writing from pictures, and writing with no idea. All levels of experience are welcome. Space is limited. The cost of the workshop is $85.

Waterfall Arts, a nonprofit arts organization, is located at 256 High St. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and by appointment. For more information on the exhibit, gallery talk or to register for the writing workshop, call 338-2222 or visit www.waterfallarts.org.